Studies of some Egyptian medicinal plants as natural wealth in regression of hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]

The present investigation was designed to valuate the antiangiogenic efficacy of some local medicinal plants against liver cancer induced by diethylnitrosamine [DEN] methanolic extracts of cupressus sempervirens, chelidonium majus and tropaeolum majus were used in this study. Vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF], alpha-Feto-protein [AFP], ferritin, alanine transaminase [ALT], aspartate transaminase [AST], Alkaline phosphatase [ALP], superoxide dismutase [SOD] and Glutathione peroxidase [GPx] were determined in blood while Nitric oxide [NO] was determined in liver tissue homogenate. Furthermore histopathological investigations ere done. The results showed that the treatment with methanolic extracts of all selected plants led to a significant reduction in the level of all the desired biochemical parameters, while the administration of cupressus sempervirens only improved the histopathological pictures of liver architecture. These results suggest a beneficial effect of these plant extracts against experimentally-induced hepatocellular carcinoma and the possible mechanism of the protective effects may be partly due to the antioxidant activity of these plants

Investigation of the sterol composition in the molluscan snails biomphalaria Alexandria, lymnaea truncatula and physa acuta

Sterol fractions were isolated from the hemolymph and hepatopancreasovotestis complex of snails, target [Biomphalaria alexandrina] and non- target [Lymnaea truncatula and Physa acuta] to schistosoma infection. The sterol fractions were identified using GC/MS and also they were investigated in different maturity stages of Biomphalaria alexandrina snails. The results revealed the presence of C[26], C[27], C[28], C[29], and C[30] sterols in tissue extracts and hemolymph or hemocyanin of the three snail species. The probable biosynthetic pathways and metabolism of some of these sterols into various forms present in higher vertebrates were discussed. It is suggested that Biomphalaria alexandrina snails are capable of converting delta[5] sterols into- delta[7] and delta[5,7,22] sterols. Also, the different maturity stages of B. alexandrina snails revealed the possible role of the digestive gland in the interconversion of sterols and the increase in sterol content with sexual maturity. Sterol fractions were investigated by GC/MS from hemolymph and hepatopancreas-ovotestis complex of Schistosoma target [B. alexandrina] and Schistosoma non-target [Lymnaea truncatula and Physa acuta] snails. Also the levels of these sterols were determined in different maturity stages [juvenile, adult, sensent] of B. alexandrina snails

Bait formulations from freshwater algae containing a potent molluscicide for control of schistosomiasis

Since freshwater algae are considered as naturally occurring dietery requirement for Biomphalaria alexandrina snails in their habitat, their content of proteins, amino acids and fatty acids were determined to elucidate the role of these materials as essential diets for adult snails and for their reproduction. Algae were used for preparation of bait formulations containing different concentrations of a potent molluscicide [baylucide] and the behavioural responses of snails towards these formulations were studied using clear plastic container bioassay. Efficacy of the desired bait formulations for control of snails was discussed. The present results revealed that snails showed more efficiency in locating bait formulations with low concentrations of the molluscicide. Moreover, the results pointed out that bait concentrations of the formulations technique using naturally occurring materials represents an efficient means for snail control

High pressure liquid chromotographic analysis of DNA from different snail species, target and non-target to schistosoma infection

DNA of target and non-target snail species was analysed for the ratios of the different nitrogenous bases [adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine] by HPLC. The effect of two newly synthesized antimetabolites namely [methyl [5-aminopyrazol-5-yl] aminouracil]-4-carboxylate [I] and methyl [7-methyl-2-[5-uracilylamino] pyrazolo [1, 5-a] pyrimidin-5 one]-3-carboxylate [II]], and also that of bromouracil and aminouracil on the chemical nature of DNA of Biomphalaria alexandrina snails, as the most prevalent target species, was studied through treatment of snails with bait formulations containing attractant materials and different concentrations of the selected chemical compounds. The results pointed out that incorporation of these chemicals inside attractant food pellets [AFP] did not cause any repellent effect to snails. The results showed also, that the percentages of DNA bases varied among the different snail species and that the different treatments induced some alterations in the ratios of these bases

Effect of the plants frenkania hirsuta and withania somnifera on biologiccal and physiological activities of biomphalaria Alexandria snails

The present study was designed to investigate Frenkania hirsuta and Withania somnifera as molluscicides of plant origin against Biomphalaria alexandrina snails. Bait formulations technique was used in this study in order to produce a considerable reduction of these molluscan hosts with minimal adverse effect on the environment. Efficacy of the prepared bait and behavioral responses of snails towards these formulations were studied by using clear plastic container bioassay. Their effect on fecundity and hatchability of snail's eggs were also investigated. Moreover, the effect of these bait formulations on some biochemical parameters [DNA, RNA, Proteins and Fatty acids] of snail's haemolymph was elucidated. The results revealed that both Frenkania hirsuta and Withania somnifera caused disturbances in the chemical structure of nucleic acids, proteins and fatty acids, besides being toxic to the snail hosts. This also, influenced the spread of these hosts as reflected by the changes in snail reproduction rates

Sesbania sesban and peltophorum africanum as potential molluscicides of plant origin

The present study investigated the molluscicidal activity of S.sesban and P.africanum and their extracts on Biomphalaria alexandrina snails using the bait formulation technique. This method assured contact between molluscicide and the target snail population with minimal adverse effect on the environment. The effects of the extracts on the snails were determined biochemically by measuring DNA, RNA, glycogen and total protein contents in snails tissues. Among successive extracts and total homogenates of both plants under study, ethanolic extract was found to be the most effective and most toxic for the snails. So the snail hosts of schistosomiasis might be controlled by using ethanolic extract of either S.sesban or P.africanum as potential molluscicides of plant origin inside attractant food pellets [AFP]

Effects of nitrogen; sulpher and phosphorus containing fertilizers and organophosphorous insecticide on reproduction of biomphalaria alexandrina snails

The effect of the commonly used fertilizers [urea, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate and the organophosphorous insecticide [DDVP]] on egg-laying of snails, hatchability of snail's eggs and growth rate of the newly hatched snails, was investigated. The present study revealed that all the selected compounds affected the egg-laying of the snails and their effects are different from one compound to the other. Nitrogen containing fertilizers have more effects than phosphorous or sulfur containing fertilizers. Also, DDVP has the greater effect on both egg-laying and growth rate of the newly hatched snails

Effect of gamma - irradiation on egg masses of biomphalaria Alexandria snails

Egg masses of sexually mature Biomphalaria alexandrina snails were submitted to high [1-5 kGy] and low [10-100 Gy] doses of gamma- irradiation. Electron microscopic examination of egg masses exposed to high doses revealed complete destruction. On the other hand, light microscopic examination of egg masses exposed to low doses showed partial destruction. Moreover, the hatchability of irradiated eggs and the growth rate of newly-hatched snails were affected with variable degrees depending on the different low doses of gamma- irradiation used